A vote in the House of Commons today saw MPs reject plans to make assisted suicide legal. The bill, which would have made it legal to help terminally ill adults to take their own lives, was opposed by a majority of 212.
Before the vote speeches were made for and against the bill and emotions ran high as debate went on. Incredibly 85 MPs asked to speak on the subject.
Labour MP Rob Marris introduced the bill and said: “The current law does not meet the needs of the terminally ill, does not meet the needs of their loved ones. And in some way it does not meet the needs of the medical profession.
“We have amateur suicides going on. We have what would be technically illegal assistance going on. We have those who have the means going off to Dignitas in Switzerland.”
“The Supreme Court in the Tony Nicklinson case recognised there was a problem which needs to be addressed by Parliament. It is time Parliament grasped this issue.”
Tony Nicklinson suffered from Locked In Sydrome and with the help of his wife and daughter’s campaign ferociously for the right to die. Tragically, he starved himself to death after his pleas were turned down.
Should the bill have been passed – it would have required two medical professionals to agree the individual who wished to take their own life only had six months to live and they would have to sign a statement confirming they had not been forced to make that decision.
At the end of the vote the numbers were 330 MPs voting against with 118 voting in favour.
Let us know what you think? Did you want the bill passed?